Flintshire County Council spent more than £2.5m on supply teachers in 2009-10

He said the county council needed to explain exactly why the figure was so high.

He added: “The figure looks very large, but we need confirmation of what’s included. This just emphasises the need for a report.”

Flintshire County Council was unable to provide a breakdown of what was paid to agencies for supply teachers at the county’s 89 schools.

A spokesman said: “The £2.5m represents all spend by schools to ensure that they provide adequate and appropriate cover in the classroom where teachers are absent, whether it be for sickness, maternity cover or complying with teachers contractual arrangements regarding planning, preparation and assessment.”